Balkan Sasieni: BALKAN SASIENI 50g

Not Sobranie but the next best I've found. Good stuff.

Latakia? More like Latakick-you-in-the-pants.

You know why I find Standard Mixture to be far superior? Because it’s balanced. Contrary to my initial impressions, this is not. (Smoking tobaccos in a Meerschaum rather than a briar or a cob has made all the difference in tasting the tobacco itself.)

Balkan Sasieni is like a nice campfire: you sit down ready for a lovely experience, but then some genius comes around and dumps a pile of bark onto the fire. In other words, too much smokiness ruins the experience for me.

Recommended for Lat' junkies, but a caution to those who prefer a condimental sprinkling.

A gorgeous, balanced melody of bold flavours, and I swear it's the Macedonian oriental that gives this tobacco its unique profile! ("Pungent" is the correct descriptor from the advertising.) Dedicate a cob to this blend and you've got a lifelong friend as long as it stays in production. Just half an hour of drying out the tin and you're good to go. One of my top 10 favourite tobaccos, and the best balkan I've ever smoked.

And most likely the best balkan I'll ever smoke!

I tried this because the price was so reasonable, but also I tend towards English and Balkan blends. This is probably an overlooked tobac because of it's predecessor, which I have not been privileged to try. What a great balance of smokiness to a sweetness that does not overwhelm you. The tin note is a robust smokey smell, like your clothes after a night around the camp fire. Moisture content was nice right from opening the tin and I like my tobac on the drier side. The final residue is fine gray ash and burns fairly clean so no nasty clean up of your pipe. This is one of my staples and I always buy a tin when making an order, so I can cellar it away. If you like McBaren's H&H Vintage Syrian, I believe you'll find this even a little smoother and fuller. I have found it to smoke well in a large meerschaum bowl, but prefer it in a medium breyer, which makes for a good hour and a half of sipping. The first third of the light up is tasty, the 2nd third is fabulous and the last third needs a little more tending and is a bit sharp if you don't sip it, but tongue bite is not an issue and no gurgling interuptions, making an overall great smoke. This is a classic to be in it's own making, so should not be viewed in the shadows of the legendary Balkan Sobraine. 5 Star Tobac

Never tried the older mixture. But this one is right up my ally. Lots of very good Latakia which I love. And the orientals and other fine tobacco in this mixture make for a sweet perfume like lovefest in my pipe. Must try. Cheers